Historic views on the sex industry and prostitution outline differences between groups, even within movements, like feminism. Some in the feminism group view the sex industry as a legitimate profession that needs reform, whereas others are against it.
With more technologies and social freedoms allowing a more diverse sex industry, there have been debates about how the sex industry should be treated in a feminist society. It is impossible for the population of the feminist movement to be 100% compatible with ideas, just like any other movement. There are feminists that believe that the sex industry as a whole is a tool of the patriarchy, and there are feminists who see the sex industry as a market for women to exercise independence and profit from an informed decision about their bodies. sed around sexually driven demands, and admittedly, mostly cater to men. Jobs within the sex industry include pornography, nude dancing, telephone sex, and prostitution, most of which are staffed by women. Now, more sexually-orientated work takes place online, through sites like 'Onlyfans' where people pay a subscription to access private content.
With more technologies and social freedoms allowing a more diverse sex industry, there have been debates about how the sex industry should be treated in a feminist society. It is impossible for the population of the feminist movement to be 100% compatible on ideas, just like any other movement. There are feminists that believe that the sex industry as a whole is a tool of the patriarchy, and there are feminists who see the sex industry as a market for women to exercise independence and profit from an informed decision about their bodies.
There is a consensus around feminism that the social movement generates in ‘waves’. The first waves of feminism focussed on fundamental rights (voting, working and reproduction). The modern feminist movement, or rather: the fourth wave, focusses on the lasting institutional and cultural divides between men and women.
For feminists who aren’t inherently against the sex industry, the argument spans from the belief that people within the sex industry deserve the same respect as anyone in a mainstream job, and deserves the same empowerment that other women afford through feminism. They support the idea that feminists should challenge the limitations set on women by society, the society that tries to tell women what counts as 'respectable' which reaches to the women who work in the sex industry.
“Abolition is the only progressive solution,” writes Julie Bindel, who argues that the idea of legalising prostitution as part of the feminist movement is actually counter-productive. This is because prostitution is inherently abusive, and decriminalisation would benefit the abusers more than the actual women who serve. However, Bindel stands by the argument that the pimps and buyers should receive punishment from legislation, not those who provide the service.
Journalist Lenora Volpe likens the idea of feminists telling women what to do with their bodies to misogyny. Because it goes against the feminist ideal that a woman should be able to do whatever she wants with her body, which should extend to sex work. However, even for feminists who do not want to abolish the sex industry as a whole, it is agreeable that there are changes needed to how the industry is structured as a whole. Which prioritises male pleasure and female objectification.
It may be the better solution to create a less oppressive sex industry where women are empowered. The legitimisation of sex work and prostitution, some claim, can actually prove to be beneficial for the woman involved. When the conditions are safe; a woman is free to express herself sexually, and be involved in a female-dominant workforce where men are reliant on their services, and she has the right to safely turn down a client.
There is interest in minimising the harm for women in the sex industry, rather than completely outlawing it, because that could lead to an underground sex industry, where abuse and secrecy thrive.
It is these ideas and reactions to the sex industry that has driven a divide between feminists. There are different ways in which they interpret it, with some seeing it as a product of capitalism that can be used to a woman’s advantage, and those who see it as the embodiment of the patriarchy that needs to be torn down or legislated.
It may be a better solution to create a less oppressive sex industry where women are empowered. The legitimisation of sex work and prostitution, some claim, can actually prove to be beneficial for the woman involved. When the conditions are safe; a woman is free to express herself sexually and be involved in a female-dominant workforce where men are reliant on their services, and she has the right to safely turn down a client.o are in the sights and challenged by both sides of this feminist debate.
It is apparent that the debate is going to continue, no matter what legislative path the government elects to take. There is even heated debate coming from those who wouldn’t classify themselves as feminist. However, for feminists, the central idea around protecting the preserving the rights of women in a potentially abusive environment remain the same, even if the method of achieving such goals vary greatly from feminist to feminist.
Today, there are endless means for women to make money in a sexual market, and modern feminists seem to have their backs. Despite debates about whether the sex industry needs reform or not, there will always be some kind of market and demand.
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